Popular jumper Tidal Bay's Cheltenham Festival preparations have met a hitch with the news that the horse is "odds-against" to make his intended prep-race at the same track this weekend.

Nicholls told Betfair.com that the horse "should be considered doubtful" to make the Argento Chase line-up.

"After working this morning, he came back slightly lame," he said.

"Myself and Clifford [Baker, head groom] have looked him over and the problem is hard to diagnose. It could be either an infection brewing in his off hind foot, and or he has pulled a small muscle, but we don't know at the moment.

"We will obviously monitor him in the next 24 hours, and then make a decision on his participation in the morning.

"It isn't a serious problem - and he may well yet run on Saturday - but I thought it was best to keep everyone informed.

"At this stage, though, I think it is odds-against him running at Cheltenham at the weekend."